Verdict
At RM178,200, the Honda CR-V costs RM44,489 less than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, while its RM437 annual road tax is RM401 lower. The Honda is also quicker to 100 km/h at 8.9 seconds, has a 589-litre boot and a 2,701-mm wheelbase. Its two-motor hybrid system is the clear efficiency-led choice, with a rated 7 L/100 km. The Forester counters with all-wheel drive, 182 hp and 247 Nm from its 2.5-litre boxer engine, plus a 360-degree camera and more extensive front-seat power adjustment. For most Malaysian family use, the Honda’s price, boot and running-cost advantage carries more weight.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you want to save RM44,489, carry 93 litres more luggage and have a rated 7 L/100 km hybrid SUV.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, a 182-hp 2.5-litre boxer engine and a 360-degree camera matter more than the higher purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Honda CR-V RM178,200; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Road tax: Honda CR-V RM437/year; Subaru Forester RM838/year.
- Driveline: Honda CR-V front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda CR-V 8.9 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda CR-V 589 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Powertrain: Honda CR-V 2.0L hybrid with two motors; Subaru Forester 2.5L petrol boxer-four.
CR-V
- RM44,489 lower purchase price
- Rated fuel economy of 7 L/100 km
- 589-litre boot and 2,701-mm wheelbase
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- No 360-degree camera
- Less extensive front-seat adjustment: 8-way driver and 4-way passenger versus 10-way and 8-way
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- 182 hp and 247 Nm 2.5-litre boxer engine
- 360-degree View Monitor and 11.6-inch touchscreen
- Costs RM44,489 more
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM437
- 496-litre boot is 93 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,200✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM437✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 146 hp at 6,100 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 190 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 96.7 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13.9 | — |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,691 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,866 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,681 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,701 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,616 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 57 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 589 litres✓ | 496 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used CR-V & Forester for sale
CR-V vs Forester FAQ
Is the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester better?
The Honda CR-V is the better fit for most buyers: it is RM44,489 cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h and has a 589-litre boot. Choose the Subaru Forester specifically for all-wheel drive, its 2.5-litre boxer engine and 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM44,489 more than the Honda CR-V: RM222,689 against RM178,200. Its annual road tax is also RM401 higher, at RM838 versus RM437.
Which SUV is better for carrying luggage?
The Honda CR-V has the larger boot at 589 litres, compared with 496 litres in the Subaru Forester. That is a 93-litre advantage, and the Honda also has a 31-mm longer wheelbase.
